CEBU, PHILIPPINES, 18 October 2018 – The ASEAN S&T Ministers and Senior Officials attended a Gala Dinner on the 18th of October 2018 before they joined together for the 10th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on S&T (IAMMST-10) on the 19th of October 2018 in Cebu, Philippines.
In the spirit of celebrating the achievements of young women scientists in the ASEAN region, the grand winner of the 2018 ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women was also announced during the Gala Dinner.
The ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women seeks to identify and recognize ASEAN-based, early to mid-career women who are using STI to address relevant challenges in the region. The Prize is awarded by the United States Government in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
This year’s competition focused on precision agriculture and seeked to award those working at the intersection of agriculture, digital tools, technology and data in support of smallholder farmers and regional agriculture.
Dr. Gay Perez from the University of the Philippines was announced as the Grand Winner and receive the award and a prize of USD20,000. Dr. Samsuzana Abd. Aziz from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) was announced as the first runner-up; receiving the award and a prize of USD5,000.
Profile of the winners:
- Gay Jane Perez is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Her work focuses on the use of remote sensing, satellite meteorology, climate monitoring, and prediction tools to better derive data for agricultural areas.
- Samsuzana Abd Aziz is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her research focuses on computer science and electronics in agriculture; particularly in precision agriculture applications.
It is also a fantastic record that Malaysian women scientists have ranked in the top two consecutively in the past 3 years for this prize. Coordinated by the International Division, MESTECC, this achievement is a testament to the high quality of Malaysian women scientists and how they are internationally recognised for their contribution towards the development of STI in the ASEAN region.
Dr. Samsuzana Abd Aziz, Universiti Putra Malaysia bagged 2nd place the 2018 ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women
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Further information, please do contact :
Normaizatulakmal Tujad
Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications Unit
MESTECC
akmal.tujad@mosti.gov.my
03 – 8885 8299
Noorahayu Binti Yahya
Assistant Secretary
International Department
MESTECC
noorahayu@mosti.gov.my
03 – 8885 8741
